Clemson earmarks tuition aid for disabled soccer players

Clemson University has launched a tuition-aid program to enable students with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other conditions to play soccer while in college.

Two in-state tuition waivers will be offered a year for four years under the program, which begins this fall and has a goal of Clemson becoming the first soccer-specific Paralympic training site designated by the U.S. Olympic committee, officials said.

“Players with cerebral palsy generally play until they are 12 or 13 years old before their disability holds them back among other non-disabled players,” said Skye Arthur-Banning, the associate professor in Clemson's parks, recreation and tourism management department who began the program to address the lack of opportunities for disabled athletes.

“Instead of the former reality of dropping out or down in divisions," he said, "this scholarship opportunity and a future in Paralympic soccer is something they can continue to strive for.”

The waivers will ensure that disabled athletes get more consistent training time on the field, officials said. Under the program, these students can attend class as well as regular training on site with other players.

Stuart Sharp, head coach of U.S. Soccer's Paralympic National Team who will be an adviser to the program, said that recruitment efforts for the national team have largely relied on word of mouth, presentations and outreach via social media up to now. Having a pipeline of players from a university program will benefit the team as well as the sport, he said.

“Right now recruitment is like finding a needle in a haystack without knowing what the haystack looks like,” he said. “Investing in development so that young people with a qualifying disability have access to soccer is key to growing the entire sport, not just finding elite-level players for the national team.”

Chuck Knepfle, associate vice president for enrollment management, said the program fits well with Clemson’s diversity initiatives and its athletics programs.

“A program like this positions Clemson as a destination for student athletes with disabilities," he said, "and I think all of our students have a better experience when they’re exposed to as many different groups as possible.”